In search of Monet’s wild landscapes: a glorious art adventure in central France

Rouen, Paris and London are more well-known Monet destinations, but rural La Creuse’s rugged gorges, spectacular lake and medieval castle really captivated the artist

As my train inched its way into the station at La Souterraine, some three hours south of Paris on a blisteringly hot June afternoon, the woman in the seat next to me asked: “Vous descendez ici?” Her expression seemed to say “Really? You’re getting off here?”

I could see what she meant. Behind the wire fencing lining the platform lay a handful of industrial buildings alongside nondescript looking farmland.